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MG MGA - Hi-Gear 5 speed Conversion

Which MGB clutch release bearing fork is used with the Hi-Gear 5 speed conversion [i.e., early, non-syncro first type, or later (late 1967 on) all-syncro transmission version]?

Thanks,
Steve
Steve Brandt

Steve:

You are asking a complicated question that depends on the Hi-Gear kit you are working with.

The standard MGA Hi-Gear kit works with the stock MGA clutch cover and uses the standard MGA fork.

If you want to use the MGB diaphragm clutch, then you need to have the correct mounting bracket (MGB type) from Hi-Gear and an early MGB non-synchro first clutch fork.

So the first thing to determine is what Hi-Gear kit do you have. Then whether you intend to use the stock MGA clutch cover, or convert to the MGB style.

feel free to contact me direct if this is confusing.

Kelvin.
KJ Dodd

Steve,
Give Jim Hall a call. I got mine from Butch White before he passed. Jim has taken over his business. Shop price on this, even if you have to go th the UK. The mark up has become outrageous. The price has more than doubled sinse I purchased mine. Far more than simple currency valuation, greed has struck this one.
The product is exceptional and well designed. They can and dol accomodate almost any imaginable combination of engines and clutches. If you can swallow the cost, you'll love the product.

http://www.mgfivespeed.com/
D Sjostrom

Kelvin and Doug:

Thanks for the responses. I bought a kit from Butch White shortly before he passed away. He put together a combination for me to use an MGA kit with a five main MGB engine. However, although I have the smaller bellhousing adapter (for the MGA/63-67 MGB) I'm not sure if he made up the kit with the MGB or MGA front cover/adapter for the release fork. Anyone know of a way of telling the two types apart? I am using the diaphram clutch.

Thanks,
Steve
Steve Brandt

Steve,
That's the same set-up I bought. Five main MGB with the smaller "crash starter" 'B flywheel (the early one for the non-synchro "B Tranny) for the MGB clutch. I had to machine my low starter 1500 backplate to accept the 5 Main rear seal.

If Butch sent you a kit for a five main 1800, It must be for the 'B clutch fork. Who would adapt an MGA clutch to an 1800? I'd be shocked if it were available!

I can probably find the packing list from mine which was sent directly from Peter at Hi- Gear in the UK.
Doug
D Sjostrom

Steve,
My packing list wasn't to be found. However, I remember that the clutch fork bracket is designed as a simple, small aluminum bolt-on part to the Ford Sierra front cover, and perhaps reasonably priced. Another thought...Check the serial number in magic marker on your installation instruction booklet. This may provide Peter at Hi-Gear the information needed to look up the specific configuration of your kit.
BOL,
Doug
D Sjostrom

Steve,
the bracket for the MGB clutch is about 1/2 inch higher as for the MGA clutch. You can compare that if you have a standard MGA tranny: measure the distance from the bore where the fork is fitted to the end of the tranny. The distance on the new front cover must be about 1/2 inch shorter to compensate the difference of the B clutch v. MGA clutch.
hope this helps,
Siggi
Siggi

Doug and Siggy:

Thanks...I have a 1967 MGB non-syncro first unit and no MGA unit to compare with. However, the idea to measure the mount distance is an excellent suggestion. Although the transmission side of the 5-speed bellhousing adapter is different from the MGB (or MGA) unit(s), I can use a straight edge to bridge the bellhousing engine-side flange and measure the depth to the center of the fork bore to compare with the MGB unit I have, since a 1/2" difference is greater than any reasonable error of measurement.

Thanks,
Steve
Steve Brandt

Steve,
Before I settled on the Sierra, I'd converted my 1500 tranny to work with an MGB diaphram clutch. Chime in if you want the measurement from the bellhousing flange to the centerline of the clutch fork pivot hole?
BOL,
Doug
D Sjostrom

Steve,
Just done a similar mod to mine - ring or fax Hi-Gear direct 00 44 1332 514503 and they will give you the prats list or even supply you with the parts. Spoke to them only yesterday and they are close to selling 1000 MGA units!! They are really nice people and will ensure that you have the right information.

Geoff
Geoff McGladdery

Doug:

If you could make that measurement, I would greatly appreciate it. It would save me having to separate the engine and transmission before I was ready to. I'm running out of garage space to put things and the original engine and transmission are still sitting on the frame.

Geoff:

Thanks for the suggestion. I really need to know if I have a problem before I contact Hi-Gear. I may indeed have the right parts, but I would like to make sure before I start bolting subassemblies together. This BBS thread has been very helpful in suggesting a way to do just that.

Thanks,
Steve
Steve Brandt

Steve,
The dimension from the bellhousing face to the centerline of the clutch fork pivot hole is 4.500".
Measured by bridging the face with a machinist's cast straight edge / flat and measuring from it to the outside diameter of the pivot bolt and adding half the bolt diameter. Accuracy is within .005 +/-
Can e-mail a photo if needed.
BOL,
Doug
D Sjostrom

Doug:

Thanks very much. Since this is a popular conversion, taking a picture might be useful - particularly if Barney will add it to his website.

Thanks much,
Steve

sbrandt AT Rochester DOT rr DOT com
Steve Brandt

This thread was discussed between 19/05/2006 and 22/05/2006

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This thread is from the archive. The Live MG MGA BBS is active now.